The Noble Eight Paths:

1. Right View	5. Right Livelihood
2. Right Thought	6. Right Effort
3. Right Speech	7. Right Mindfulness
4. Right Behavior	8. Right Concentration

We sincerely welcome you to visit any Tzu Chi office and join us as a part of Tzu Chi's Great Love.
Be a Volunteer Join us in creating a better world! We hope the information on this web site has introduced you to Tzu Chi and its functions. We also hope that you will spread the joy of knowing Tzu Chi to all your friends, and invite them to join us in bringing warmth to society and creating a better world. For volunteering opportunities, please contact your nearest Tzu Chi office. More informaton: About Tzu Chi Tzu Chi Missions About Master Cheng Yen Tzu Chi Canada	Make a Donation Wanting to help others but don't know how? Or, because of your busy lifestyle, you haven't got down to do it? Don't let it slip away. Seize the moment of kind thoughts. And follow this easy way of helping others. Be a Tzu Chi member and donate monthly in support of Tzu Chi's Missions. Amount to be donated is flexible. Your donations to Tzu Chi are tax-deductible and you can expect a tax-deductible receipt. Your company might have a corporate gift matching program (company matching % of your donation). Please inquire with your company's HR department. For question, Please��contact your nearest Tzu Chi office.

In 1966, Dharma Master Cheng Yen established the Tzu Chi Foundation in Hualien. With the spirit of self-discipline, diligence, frugality, and perseverance, Tzu Chi set out to help the poor and relieve suffering. Over time, the foundation���s mission started with Charity and extended into Medicine, Education, and Humanistic Culture.

Awards and Recognitions

The beauty of an organization stems from individuals' efforts ��� this is what Master Cheng Yen firmly believes in. Thus, whenever the Master is accorded a recognition award or honorary degrees for her humanitarian achievements, she would unhesitatingly give the credit to all of her Tzu Chi followers ���who made all the good works possible���.

Tzu Chi believes that the spirit of Buddhism can be best shown through social involvement. It is only through concrete philanthropic actions that Buddhist theories and social development can enforce each other. Thank you for all your recognitions. Tzu Chi will keep doing its best.

2015	Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia recipient of 2015 Better Malaysia Foundation Personality award Tzu Chi Foundation USA Receives CREST 2015 Award
2014	Rotary International Award of Honor Bestowed to Master Cheng Yen The Red Dot Design Award.�� Jing Si Multi-purpose Folding Bed
2013	Tzu Chi Named NVOAD Member of the Year
2012	Tzu Chi Canada Volunteers received Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from Prime Minister Penang State Gives Highest Civilian Honor to Master Cheng Yen
2011	Dharma Master Cheng Yen Receives 2011 FDR Distinguished Public Service Award The Recognition of ���Friend of El Salvador"
2010	��
2009	Tzu Chi Accorded Elaine Field Award
2008	The WFB Merit Medal from World Fellowship of Buddhists
2007	The 2007 World Peace Prize from the American Los Angeles Chinese-American Elected Officials Organization (CEO). The 24th Annual Niwano Peace Prize from the Japanese Niwano Peace Foundation.
2004	The 2004 Asian American Heritage Award for Humanitarian Services from the Asian American Federation of California (AAFC) The first annual special Lifetime Achievement Award in Volunteerism from the Daily Volunteer Association, DVA, which was founded to recognize groups and individuals from various socioeconomic levels for their volunteerism and contribution to the community.
2003	The 3rd annual Top Ten Outstanding Educators Award from the Private School Culture and Education Association Second Order Brilliant Star Decoration
2002	The Outstanding Female in Buddhism Award from the World Buddhism University The Honorary Social and Cultural Doctorate degree from Jiaotong University
2001	The Honorary Doctorate degree in Social Science from Hong Kong University Second-level National Medal from the President of El Salvador
2000	The Humanity Life Award from the U.S. Noel Foundation Master Cheng Yen and Tzu Chi Foundation���s charitable facts and documentation were collected and chosen by the Canadian Department of Education as the teaching material in its high school elective course curriculum - "World Contact - - 21st century Geography��� Recommended by more than 30 U.S. academics and educators to receive the Honorary Model Hero Award as one of the world���s 27 most recognized contributors to human peace Selected as one of the 50 Stars of Asia by the U.S. Business Week magazine
1998	Reported as one of the Taiwan's 200 most influential people in 400 years in the January issue of the Common Wealth magazine The International Human Rights Award from UNPO, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, the so-called ���Little U.N.��� The Outstanding Alumni Award by the Taichung Chingshuei Elementary School to recognize her outstanding contribution to society
1996	The Internal Affair���s First Medal and the ���World Education and Relief��� plaque from the Ministry of Internal Affairs The Foreign Affairs First Medal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Hwa Guang First Medal from the Foreign National Commission
1995	Chosen as one of the 20 Outstanding Women in Asia by the Hong Kong Asia Weekly magazine The Executive Yuan Cultural Prize from the Executive Yuan Cultural committee
1994	The Eisenhower international Peace Prize ��� the highest honor given by the PTPI
1993	Recommended for candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize A Honorary Doctorate degree in Social Science from Hong Kong's Chinese University
1992	The International Communication Award from the Executive Yuan Bureau of Journalism
1991	The Magsaysay Social Leadership Award from the Philippine Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation The first annual Outstanding Community Movement Leadership Award from Community Movement Culture Foundation The U.S. awards: Texas Honorary Citizen Award, St. Antonio Honorary Mayor Award, and St. Antonio Honorary Territory Award
1989	The Great Compassion World Relief plaque from President Li Denghui The Social Service Prize from the Taiwan-U.S. Foundation The Social Service Prize from the Wu San-Lian Foundation
1986	The China First Medal from Komintang, KMT Elected as the 1986 annual Good People and Good Deeds representative

Sunday, 06 July 2014 08:45 Tzu Chi Foundation

Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu Chi Foundation was awarded with the Award of Honor by Rotary International in recognition for her contribution towards the humanitarian spirit and world peace, affirming Tzu Chi���s leadership status in doing charity work around the world; Master Cheng Yen is the first Chinese recipient in the world, in her acceptance speech at the ceremony, she said that she is very grateful; for the implementation of all the charity work done by Tzu Chi globally is a joint effort of the volunteers, she is only representing Tzu Chi volunteers around the world in accepting this the Award of Honor.

Rotary International the Award of Honor ranked as the highest honor in the club; Master Cheng Yen was unanimously confirmed by the Rotary International Global Council���s 19 governors from 16 countries to receive this award. Rotary International created the award in 1990, to advocate the eradication of poverty, and to promote world peace as its objective, in recognition of ones contribution to the humanitarian spirit and world peace.

Master Cheng Yen is the first in the Chinese world to be awarded with the Award of Honor, over the years, awardees include: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II; former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton; Microsoft founder Bill Gates; former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang been with Rotary International for a total of 38 years, he has visited many countries in is involved with various process of social service, he found out that when Rotarians are asking recipients if they need any help or services, Tzu Chi volunteers with more experience have already came up with aid and supplies and are way into the depth of assistance. President Gary C.K. Huang said that Tzu Chi Foundation has been doing charity work for many years, their humanitarian projects are touching, it is an honor for Rotary International to give this award to Master Cheng Yen.

Master Cheng Yen established Tzu Chi Foundation in 1966. With the spirit of self-restraint, diligence, frugality and the will to overcome hardships, Dharma Master Cheng Yen and her disciples started ���The Bamboo Bank Era���. The organization has propagated the missions of charity, medicine, education and humanistic culture. Tzu Chi volunteers practice altruistic giving with sincerity and gratitude. They educate the rich to help the poor and aid the poor to educate the rich. From the remote Hualien to five continents, Tzu Chi���s charitable missions have blossomed in 87 countries and regions worldwide.

Master Cheng Yen thank President Gary C.K. Huang for this "indulgence", Master Cheng Yen said that this is accomplished by all the Tzu Chi volunteers in their joint efforts. Tzu Chi has been around for 48 years and is well into its 49th year, it shared a common philosophy and objective with the Rotary International, which is to serve the human society and to promote world peace through selfless service. Master Cheng Yen looked forward to the day when everyone can overcome hatred with love and with "sincerity" and "affection" in order to promote world peace.

Rotary International is committed to the eradication of poverty, in order to achieve the ultimate peace for mankind, the Award of Honor has emphasized on the value of peace and the eradication of poverty, the Committee of the Award of Honor unanimously endorsed Tzu Chi founder Master Cheng Yen as a model and representative of this noble values.

"Following and applying the teachings of Buddha in our daily lives and transforming ourselves into living Bodhisattvas��� is the goal that Master Cheng Yen has ardently, and without reservation, pursued for more than four decades. How can one combine the Buddha���s teachings and life lessons? How can one make the Bodhisattva path the spiritual goal of present day people? Master Cheng Yen accomplishes these goals by translating the essence of the Buddha���s teachings into simple and easy to understand language and uses everyday events to exemplify life lessons. Her exquisite words and caring thoughts inspire wisdom and provide direction amidst delusional thinking.

Master Cheng Yen���s Jing Si Aphorisms books transcend racial and religious barriers. They promote heart-to-heart dialogues. Through the efforts of Tzu Chi volunteers, they have reached schools, businesses, government agencies, armed barracks, stores and every corner of communities. They have become learning material for students��� moral education, running brooks that cleanse the minds of the business world, and the inspiration for self-examination and reflection for all human beings.

Dharma Master Cheng Yen���s Jing Si Aphorisms, Volume 1 was first published in 1989. Over 3.5 million copies have since been printed in 11 languages, including traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, English, Spanish, French and German. In addition, Jing Si Aphorisms have been published via different media such as in Jing Si books for children, Jing Si cartoons, bookmarks, small decorative items, and cards.

The Tzu Chi volunteers in Taipei first introduced Jing Si Aphorisms to the community in 2007 by promoting the ���Good Words of Jing Si Aphorisms for the Entire Street��� event. They created Jing Si Aphorisms posters for display at local businesses and stores and regularly replaced them with new ones. By so doing, the volunteers delivered the message of love and goodness to the public.

Master Cheng Yen stressed that spreading good words to the entire street is excellent behavior. Every step taken by the Tzu Chi volunteers to encourage benevolent thoughts leaves imprints in people���s hearts. Master Cheng Yen recognized that it was the devotion, dedication and determination of these Bodhisattvas that enables the spread of the spirit of goodness in the community.

Forty years after Tzu Chi was established, Dharma Master Cheng Yen officially announced the formation of�� Tzu Chi���s dharma path.�� All disciples who have taken refuge are Jing Si Disciples and everyone is a Tzu Chi volunteer. The Jing Si Dharma-Lineage and the Tzu Chi��� dharma path, are all based on the essences of the Lotus Sutra and practices of the Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings.

When Master Cheng Yen took her refuge, her teacher, Master Ying Shun, instructed her to dedicate herself to Buddhism and to all sentient beings. This simple dedication made a tremendous impression on Master Cheng Yen and she vowed to live up to them.

During the first six months after Master took her refuge, she studied the Lotus Sutra with all her heart.�� The teachings in the Lotus Sutra may be profound, but Master thought these teachings are very appropriate in guiding the bodhisattvas to reach out to all sentient beings. The Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings sums up the essence in the Lotus Sutra. It clearly explains how Buddhists should conduct themselves when dealing with people and it is with this same attitude that Master practices in her life.

For the past forty years and continuing today, from Taiwan to rest of the world, Tzu Chi disciples follow the teachings of this Sutra as they learn while working and work while learning. The saying ���Our mind is clear and translucent, and our vows are as vast as the endless void. Our conviction is unwavering for countless eons.��� is the foundation of the Tzu Chi dharma teachings. The saying ���Innumerable dharma paths become clear to us. Great wisdom shall be ours, and we will penetrate the true reality of all things��� validates Tzu Chi���s dharma path.

The Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings is the best spiritual cultivation essence for Tzu Chi disciples. Everyone has the same sincere pure heart as the Buddha. When there is disaster, Tzu Chi volunteers will appear in a timely manner, uninvited, to cultivate the field of blessings.�� They will give comfort and care unconditionally. ��It is just like what is described in the Chapter Virtues in the Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings.

In the Sutra���s section that expounds the dharma, it explained the rotations of the four seasons, the passing of time, the�� changes of the natural environment, and the birth and death of sentient beings.�� Nature and the universe are always opening the dharma doors.�� Different combinations of karma produce different phenomenon, such as the man-made destruction of the earth that affects the climate and results in natural disasters.

In the Sutra���s section that expounds the Chapter Virtues, it inspired people to vow to unlock their intelligence, to attain purity in the chaotic life and to bring benefits to all sentient beings. The Sutra can enable bodhisattvas, using this immeasurable power, to unleash others��� good conscience and altruistic selves.

On May 12, 2007, 132 volunteers and commissioners performed the Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings in sign language, at the Jing Si Hall in Hwalian. In a short 50-minute performance, they expressed the many changes of the universe. Their hand gestures, facial expressions and movements merged into the most beautiful interpretation of the Sutra. Everyone was awestruck and speechless.

��At the end of the performance, Master Cheng Yen listened to the vows sung by this group of disciples: ���Our hearts are connected to pass the Tzu Chi dharma teachings; our commitment to expand Tzu Chi���s dharma path is unwavering; we���ll treasure the Tzu Chi karma; Jing Si dharma teaching has immeasurable meanings.��� Master was deeply moved and relieved as well. She was appreciative beyond words and encouraged everyone to continue maintaining this vow and to make the most of every second for the rest of their lives.

Dharma Master Cheng Yen made three vows in the early years when she first became a Buddhist nun. The first was not to accept offering; the second was not to hold Buddhist Dharma services; the third was not to take disciples. What she wanted at that time was pure Dharma practices. Then she saw a poor aboriginal woman suffering from labor complications because she could not afford the medical deposit to see a doctor. The puddle of blood from the woman and the subsequent visit from three nuns inspired Master Cheng Yen to make a vow to establish the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Association to help the poor.

Because of Tzu Chi, she broke her vow and accepted disciples. However, she wanted her disciples to be involved in the community and help those in need rather than pursue their own happiness. To help the poor, the Jing Si Abode distributed relief goods to the poor, the ill, and the solitary elderly people. At the same time, Master Cheng Yen taught the Medicine Buddha Sutra, in the hope that all poor and ill people can be freed from suffering and achieve happiness.

From the day before the establishment of Tzu Chi Merit Association until today, people living in the Jing Si Abode have sustained themselves through their own efforts. All practitioners who live in the Abode need to do farm work and make handcrafts to earn their own living. This is the ���No work, no meal��� faith, which was passed down from the Zen Master Bai Chang of the Tang Dynasty.

The farm work and handcrafts, which have been continuously in production in the past forty years, include rice growing; infant shoes and cotton gloves making; clothes processing; wood board carving; gloves sewing; Chrysanthemum planting; pottery making; and the current stable source of income ��� making Job���s Tears Bean Powder, candles, etc., totaling more than twenty-one kinds of work. The living expenses of the residents in the Abode are clearly separated from the donations received from donors all over the world. All donations are remitted to the Tzu Chi Foundation to help the poor and the suffering people.

The Abode residents (Buddhist nuns) not only earn their own living but also provide locations, office necessities, and accommodations for the foundation colleagues. They themselves are also the practitioners and spiritual leaders of the Tzu Chi Four Main Missions: Charity, Medicine, Education, and Humanistic Culture. The Abode residents will continue their compassion vows and devote themselves to aiding all sentient beings.

Today, the Tzu Chi Jing Si Abode is the spiritual home for all Tzu Chi members. Tzu Chi volunteers all over the world return to this spiritual hometown annually to seek for advancement in spiritual cultivation as well as purification of the soul.


Source: Tzu Chi and the Buddhism for the Human Realm Practice by Rey-Sheng Her

���Be well-rounded in character;��� ���Be well-rounded when dealing with things;��� and ���Be well-rounded in principles��� are prerequisites that Dharma Master Cheng Yen asks of all Tzu Chi members when dealing with the public.

Beware that the path of service is no bed of roses. Once you have decided to serve mankind, you will encounter personnel problems. In order to be well rounded you must be able to get along well with others.��

Master Cheng Yen said that when confronted with interpersonal conflicts, one has to transcend spiritually while engaging in the mundane activities. Only by doing so would we be able to live our lives without being weighed down by unnecessary worries. Without this other-worldly spirit, our minds would be easily polluted. An ���Other-worldly spirit��� is the state of non-contentiousness with people over matters and towards the world. We should treat interpersonal conflicts and difficult situations as opportunities that benefit our spiritual developments. Master Cheng Yen also said ���If a task is not difficult, we do not handle it; let others take over. What we want to handle are problems that others find too difficult, are unwilling to take on, or unable to resolve. Therefore, we should bravely take on challenges and face difficult tasks.����� Having a ���non-contentious��� mindset when dealing with people and handling situations will allow us to avoid unnecessary discord and problems. Communication, understanding and discussion help resolve disagreements and reach a consensus.�� Master Cheng Yen���s expectations can be sum up in one word: ���Harmony.��� Where there is harmony, there are successes and achievements.

�����Harmony is greatly prized��� is the cornerstone of the Tzu Chi Missions. The key to group harmony is whether everyone follows Tzu Chi���s humanity. Simply, Tzu Chi���s humanity is ���great love & gratefulness.��� That is, when one gives their great love, both the giver and receiver will feel grateful. Humanity is not a slogan. It is an expression that can be felt as well as seen by others. In Tzu Chi���s community, people care for, encourage and spur-on each other . This is Tzu Chi���s humanity. Lacking this spirit, there will be criticism and gossip, resulting in a tense work atmosphere where people can not be at peace.

Although the Tzu Chi Foundation is a big organization, it is not a complicated entity.�� It is ���simple, natural and has great love and gratitude.��� Tzu Chi���s members express their natural love simply. When they are giving love, their hearts are also filled with gratitude. This love is like water: clear and untainted. When you embrace Tzu Chi���s great love, you will give without expecting returns. Only then would you be able to love people equally with no discrimination.

Dharma Master Cheng Yen announces three general resolutions every year: May all minds be purified, may there be peace in the community, and may there be no disasters in this world. Right before the ground-breaking ceremony of Hualien Tzu Chi General Hospital in January of 1983, Master Cheng Yen delivered three more resolutions for herself: I will not pray for health, I only hope to have a spirit filled with wisdom and acuity. I will not seek to have everything to go as I want, I only wish for perseverance and courage. I will not look for fewer responsibilities, I will only ask for greater strength.

Master Cheng Yen has said that she has never asked for anything in her life. If she talks about ���asking���, the ���asking��� is in the sense of these three resolutions.

Asking not for good health, but for wisdom and acuity:
With wisdom and acuity, one is able to know right from wrong, to understand the reasoning of things, to do certain things and not to do other things. That is why we seek wisdom so that we can really understand the truth. Otherwise, we may have good health but our mind is confused ��� then we cannot distinguish between right and wrong, virtue and non-virtue. What we do may harm others and ourselves.

Asking not for everything to go as one wants, but for perseverance and courage:
In our lives, things may not work out 80-90% of the time. How can we ask for everything to go as we want? Difficulties are inevitable. Instead, we must have perseverance and courage to overcome all the obstacles. Life will then be meaningful. Tzu Chi has come a long way. But each step has not been easy. If we did not have perseverance and courage, we will not have the Tzu Chi that we see today. Therefore, if compassion and sacrifice can have forms, every inch of the Tzu Chi path has been paved with everyone���s compassion and sacrifice.

Asking not for fewer responsibilities, but for greater strength:
Everyone comes to this world with a mission. If this weren���t so, how are we different from animals? Master Cheng Yen renounced the lay life to carry out the Buddha���s mission, and she is committed to do so. Master Cheng Yen does not ask for fewer responsibilities. Instead she asks to combine everyone���s energy and effort, so that we can carry out together whatever heavy responsibilities come our way.

Dharma Master Cheng Yen said that her strength comes from everyone���s support. When the support increases, we will be able to help more people who are suffering and to take on the responsibility to build the future community. These two sets of new year resolutions are not only Master���s personal resolutions, but she hopes these resolutions will also encourage and guide all Tzu Chi volunteers to carry out Tzu Chi���s activities and overcome difficulties with perseverance and resilience. These resolutions also demonstrate that the strength of Tzu Chi���s compassion is now well established in Taiwan and can now extend to the rest of the world.